Wrist fusion system and delivery tool

Abstract

A four corner fusion system can include a curved plate that is more aligned with the natural anatomy of the wrist joint, and/or fewer number of screws (for example, about three or four screws). The system can have a lower profile, resulting in less soft tissue impingement. A surgical tool with a pair of offsetting clamping arms can be used to aid in bone reduction during a wrist fusion procedure.

1 . A surgical tool configured to be used in wrist fusion, or intercarpal fusion, or four corner fusion, the tool comprising:
 first and second clamping arms that are each offset relative to a transverse plane defined by a main body of the tool; and   a locking mechanism for locking relative positions of the first and second clamping arms once a desired alignment of bones at a wrist joint is achieved.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second clamping arms are offset relative to the transverse plane in opposite directions. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second clamping arms are offset relative to the transverse plane such that the tool is configured to be for use by a left-handed user. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second clamping arms are offset relative to the transverse plane such that the tool is configured to be for use by a right-handed user. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical tool of  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a screw. 
     
     
         6 . A surgical method for performing wrist fusion on a patient using a plate having a curvature configured to substantially follow the natural anatomy of a wrist joint in combination with a reduction tool with offset first and second clamping arms, the method comprising:
 attaching the plate to bone(s) at the wrist joint of the patient using at least one screw;   using the reduction tool to reduce the bones at the wrist joint by rotating the offset clamping arms to push a capitate at the wrist joint toward a palm of the patient's hand connected to the wrist joint; and   inserting a remainder of a plurality of screws into the bones at the wrist joint, wherein, when fully implanted, the plurality of screws are coupled to the plate and inserted into the bones at the wrist joint in different directions.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein using the reduction tool is performed before attaching the plate to the bone(s) using at least one screws. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein using the reduction tool is performed after attaching the plate to the bone(s) using at least one screws. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second clamping arms are offset relative to a transverse plane defined by a main body of the tool in opposite directions. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second clamping arms of the reduction tool are offset relative to the transverse plane such that the tool is configured to be for use by a left-handed user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second clamping arms of the reduction tool are offset relative to the transverse plane such that the tool is configured to be for use by a right-handed user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising locking relative positions of the first and second clamping arms once a desired alignment of bones at the wrist joint is achieved using a locking mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a screw. 
     
     
         14 . A system for fusing at least two bones in a wrist, or intercarpal fusion, or four corner fusion, the system comprising:
 a plate having a curvature configured to substantially follow the natural anatomy of the wrist; and   a plurality of screws configured to point in different directions when coupled to the plate.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of screws comprise locking screws. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of screws comprise non-locking screws.